Recommended by Steven G. Martin

Green succeeds in the characterizations of Phillip and Mom in "Winner of Seven Gold Medals." The reader, audience, director, and actors will sense the common demeanor and history they share, as well as their emotional shorthand.

Have you ever felt an instant rapport with a passing stranger that lifted your spirits, even if the connection didn't last long? That's the situation Holbrook dramatizes in the short play "Chemistry." Jojo and Thad connect briefly, but deeply, which is magnificent because their connection begins with miscommunication.

This is a heartwarming, feel-good story of affirmation and respect based simply upon the fact that we're all humans.

Puckett's absolute confidence in the story and themes of "Inevitable" begins with the character descriptions and ends with post-curtain call dialogue. This one-act play is about dying and how to live. It's about torn relationships and how to mend. It's magical realism whose magic may stem from any of several sources. And Puckett knows, controls, and artistically presents all of it oh so well.

Ruben Carbajal is in complete control in this one-minute play. The dialogue in "Reunion" is precise, and fine actors and directors will lead the audience down one path. But Carbajal's sensational coup de théâtre -- perfect in timing and tone -- makes everything the audience witnessed before resonate differently.

I had the great pleasure of watching Lucy Wang's comedy in June 2019 during Tapas IV: The Great Divide at Academy Theatre in Hapeville, Georgia.

No problem is insurmountable, especially for up-and-coming artists Chen and Wang. Lucy Wang's characters are filled with confidence, which is so appealing on stage. A story in which artists support one another? This is a fun, affirming play that audiences love.

A sensational read. I can only imagine this short play would also be sensational in production, too, as it would be so much fun for directors, actors, and audiences.

Hirsch reaches sky-high levels in developing character (not just one, but four!), utilizing visuals and action, and creating life-altering consequences in "A small breach in protocol at Big Rick's Rockin' Skydive Academy."

Cross humanizes Edward and Richard and makes them more than just historic figures. They're princes, yes, but they're brothers and youngsters even more so: squabbling, affectionate, juvenile. And because of Cross's skill in making them people rather than symbols or saints, the dramatic irony is all the more painful.

My God. Sickles shows empathy in abundance for all of his characters, and he's reached another high point with this 5-minute play. His imagination and perspective, layers and levels of "Notes Over an Undercast Sky" are so far-reaching that the tiniest of actions has world-shattering consequences. A first viewing would be powerful, a second would be an even richer experience.

Sickles writes about missed connections, a smidgen of hurt, passable civility, and lessons learned in this minute-long play. Does a taste of the bitter make the sweet things sweeter?

Abley's short play has a lot going for it, including the rapid-fire, constant crescendo of vicious things that happen to its hero. Mayfly doesn't get a moment's peace as others assault, accuse, shame, berate, and attack him without mercy before he even gets his bearings.

Another thing going for "Horrible: The Mayfly's Life" is the hero's constancy -- the innocence he maintains throughout all the bad things that happen. Abley raises this short play beyond cruel and literal slapstick to one with a philosophical, albeit very dark, perspective.